Editorial: China right to halt rogue experiments with genes

It took only a few days for the Chinese government to slam the door on a troubling piece of rogue research. A medical team claimed it had re-spliced the genetic codes in a pair of embryonic twins who were later born with better built-in defenses against virus that causes AIDS.

That may sound promising and hopeful, just the sort of advance that technology portends in using genetics to fend off disease. But the Chinese researchers were winging it with no outside reviews, controls or government approval. The work wouldn’t be allowed in Europe or the U.S.

It wasn’t a tough call for Beijing, which was embarrassed at the runaway experiment. But the rapid scientific advances and pressure for disease prevention even before a child is born won’t go away. The technology, much of it developed in the Bay Area’s biotech world, makes genetic manipulation relatively easy and inexpensive. It offers a pathway that the Chinese team used on its own, ignoring scientific protocols that such work be done only until strict supervision and limits.

There are other serious worries. Editing genes can have harmful effects on other genes, a risk that can’t be measured in the disputed experiment. The researchers said they were guarding against a possible HIV infection since the father was positive for the virus.

But outside doctors weren’t convinced that argument was sufficient given the lack of controls or oversight. Gene-splicing, if it ever reaches the fail-safe stage, should be reserved for inherited disorders with few cures or alternatives.

This commentary is from The Chronicle’s editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.